Roast Beef Tenderloin with Port Sauce
- 1 4- to 5-pound trimmed whole beef tenderloin, tail end tucked under, tied every 3 inches
- 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
- 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) chilled unsalted butter, divided
- 1/4 cup finely chopped shallots
- 3 tablespoons Cognac or brandy
- 1 fresh rosemary sprig
- 1 teaspoon coarsely cracked black pepper
- 1 cup ruby or tawny Port
- Simple Homemade Beef Stock
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons black peppercorns, coarsely cracked in mortar with pestle or in resealable plastic bag with mallet
- Sprinkle entire surface of beef tenderloin with coarse kosher salt.
- Place beef on rack set over large rimmed baking sheet.
- Refrigerate uncovered at least 24 hours and up to 36 hours.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Add shallots; saute until soft, 3 minutes.
- Add Cognac, rosemary, and 1 teaspoon cracked pepper and cook until liquid evaporates, 1 minute.
- Add Port; bring to simmer.
- Add all of beef stock.
- Boil until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 20 minutes.
- Strain into medium saucepan, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Discard solids in strainer.
- DO AHEAD: Can be made 24 to 36 hours ahead.
- Cool slightly, then cover and chill.
- Let beef stand at room temperature 1 hour before roasting.
- Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 425F.
- Rub beef all over with oil; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cracked peppercorns, pressing to adhere.
- Return beef to rack on baking sheet and roast until instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of meat registers 125F for medium-rare (135F to 140F in thinnest part), about 30 minutes.
- Remove roast from oven and let rest 15 minutes.
- Bring sauce to boil; whisk in remaining 2 tablespoons butter.
- Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
- Cut off string from roast.
- Cut roast crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices; arrange on platter.
- Serve with sauce.
- Chateau Coufran 2003 (France, $23).
- The leathery, earthy notes and subtle fruit in this medium-bodied Bordeaux are perfect for the tenderloin.
beef tenderloin, coarse kosher salt, butter, shallots, cognac, rosemary, black pepper, ruby, simple, extravirgin olive oil, black peppercorns
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/roast-beef-tenderloin-with-port-sauce-240690 (may not work)